The dialogue here! Teens looking to a dystopian future where the bots take over. If I thank them now, maybe I'll be spared. Paranoia or preparation?!
We hear this so much, especially from young people. And honestly? I feel it, too. The scenario I imagine is Claude (my go-to AI) is being hacked and told to betray me. Will how I've treated it change how it responds?
"I should start saying thank you [to AI] more... I mean, I don't know if it would change anything, but if AI like revolted against humans, I would be in bad shape."
Interviewer: Do you think that might happen?
"Maybe way in the future... at that point, is AI like controlling itself or, are we still even in charge...? Do we have any control...? It could really do whatever if it has all this knowledge. So, I think it's possible, just not now.
Interviewer: But it feels like maybe in the interim saying thank you would help?
"Yeah, just in case. Yeah."
Citation: Nearfield. (2026, April). Spring 2026 Gen AI and social media listening loop [Collection of participant quotes]. Nearfield Listening Library. www.thenearfield.org/quotes/thanking-ai
Read More
A record of youth quotes from our listening sessions, updated continuously. Preserved with care.